T.E.A.R.S. started in 1995 as a grassroots mission to needy villages of the Dominican Republic (D.R.). The Davis family’s commitment was to live with the people, like the people in order to better understand the needs of the community. In the first years of T.E.A.R.S. Rod and Twila Davis and their children lived in a tin roof shack in barrio María Auxiliadora in La Vega D.R. with the goal of understanding the culture and way of life of the people.With no running water, electricity or transportation it took a major effort by the Davis’ to survive day by day. In the first year the major emphasis was given to language learning and bonding with the people. In the midst of devastating poverty, the need became overwhelmingly clear and the first bible study was started in the home of one of the locals.
Just two years later (1997), there were several bible studies in various homes and the opening of a house church in the Davis family home. The Davis family continued to struggle under the pressures of these extreme living conditions yet the groups kept getting larger. By 1998, the church could no longer fit in the family home the so the leaders in the church asked permission to use the community center that was next to the Davis home. The neighborhood committee granted permission and the move was made.
From 1998-1999 the main focus was shifted to leadership training. The T.E.A.R.S. philosophy was to raise up indigenous leaders and equip them to lead the church. By the end of 1999 construction started on a 4000 ft. building to be the home of the first church plant. Prior to this, the community had no representation of the Kingdom of God. In this same year one of the leaders was sent out to start another church in the mountains of Jarabacoa, D.R. The leaders were taking position and moving the work forward.
In the year 2000, a need was seen to help in the education of the barrio children. These children could not attend public school for lack of money, birth certificate or Catholic baptism. Prompted by prayer and the overwhelming need, T.E.A.R.S. Christian School opened it doors to 70 underprivileged children.
Today the church in María Auxiliadora has approximately 200 active participants and is still growing. One of the many ways we grow is through evangelistic cell groups that meet five nights out of the week. There are now six missions/churches that have been planted of which are located in: Jarabacoa, Jima, La Vega, Soto, Carmilitain and Maria Auxiliodora. The T.E.A.R.S. School has continued to provide Christian education as well as uniforms, school supplies, medical examinations, and nutritious breakfasts to children that would not be able to attend school otherwise. Currently the school has 240 students. The school is supported by your contributions and all services are provided to the students free of charge.
